Flatwork feeder and spreader

ABSTRACT

Flatwork handling apparatus for carrying laundered flatwork to ironing rollers comprises a pair of obliquely arranged feeder and spreader members which carry obliquely driven magnetic friction buttons in engagement with the flatwork. As the flatwork is fed toward ironing rollers, the oblique relationship of the feeder and spreader members causes a transverse spreading action to be applied to eliminate creases and wrinkles in the laundered sheets, tablecloths, etc.

United States Patent 1 Ross [451 Apr. 30, 1974 FLATWORK FEEDER AND SPREADER [76] Inventor: Abe D. Ross, 1522 W. Washington Blvd., Marina Del Rey, Calif. 90291 [22] Filed: Jan. 15, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 323,442

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 154,395, June 18,

l97l, Pat. No. 3,735,512.

[52] US. Cl. 38/143 [51] Int. Cl. D06f 67/04 [58] Field of Search 271/45, 54, 69, 74, 79; 38/143 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,690,646 9/1972 Kolibas 271/45 3,537,705 11/1970 Gore 38/143 X 3,198,516 8/1965 Withorn et al 271/45 3,464,131 9/1969 MCCabc 38/l43 3,256,624 6/1966 Miller et al. 38/143 3,342,386 9/1967 Rademacher.... 38/143 X 2,585,834 2/1952 Pocock 38/143 3,735,512 5/1973 Ross 38/143 Primary Examiner-Geo. V. Larldn Attorney, Agent, or FirmAllan M. Shapiro 57] ABSTRACT Flatwork handling apparatus for carrying laundered flatwork to ironing rollers comprises a pair of obliquely arranged feeder and spreader members which carry obliquely driven magnetic friction buttons in engagement with the flatwork. As the flatwork is fed toward ironing rollers, the oblique relationship of the feeder and spreader members causes a transverse spreading action to be applied to eliminate creases and wrinkles in the laundered sheets, tablecloths, etc.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures FLATWORK FEEDER AND SPREADER CROSS REFERENCE This application is a continuation-in-part of copending prior application Ser. No. 154,395, filed June 18, 1971, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,735,512.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to flatwork laundering apparatus and, more particularly, to a sheet feeder and spreader apparatus.

2. Description of the Prior Art Commercial laundries utilize large and complex equipment to perform laundering and ironing proc' esses. After the flatwork is laundered, generally, it is manually spread and smoothed out to remove wrinkles prior to being ironed. Some flatwork, such as sheets and tablecloths, are relatively large and unwieldy to be easily manipulated, and automatic equipment has been provided to accomplish these functions.

Generally, the prior art automatic equipment includes a feeder means, such as a roller upon which the sheet is placed by two operators. As the sheet is carried toward the ironing rollers, a spreading means separate from the feed rollers imparts a spreading action transverse to the direction. of the motion of the flatwork which smoothes the flatwork without the unwieldy manipulations previously required. In order to properly utilize the feeder apparatus, two operators are required to place each corner or corner portion of the sheet on the feeder rollers. The requirement for two operators is undesirable from a cost viewpoint, in addition to which, if their movements are not properly synchronized, the sheet will be fed improperly to the ironing rollers.

Also now available to the industry is the invention disclosed in the above-referenced co-pending application wherein divergent conveyors engage the flatwork by means of vacuum attachment. The flatwork is both advanced and spread by the divergent positioning of the feed means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to aid in the understanding of this invention, it can be stated in essentially summary form that it is directed to a sheet feeder and spreader. The sheet feeder and spreader comprises a pair of members which are divergent in the direction of feed of flatwork to be spread by the spreader. The members are feeder and spreader members which have moving means moving in the divergent directions. Magnetic engagement means on the members engage flatwork positioned be-v tween the members and'a steel surface.

An object of this invention is to provide a flatwork feeding apparatus requiring only a single operator. Another object of this invention is to provide such a feeding apparatus which is adjustable to accommodate varying sizes of flatwork.

Still another object of this invention is to provide such a feeding apparatus which imparts a relatively uniform tension across the flatwork as it is spread and fed to the ironing rollers. Another object of the invention is to provide such a feeding apparatus which efficiently removes wrinkles from laundered flatwork prior to its being ironed.

It is yet another object of this invention to utilize the feeder and spreader members after the flatwork is laundered and before it is ironed in the ironing rollers. It is another object to accommodate different sizes of flatwork by adjusting the angle formed between the members. It is still another object of this invention to provide brush members disposed on the outside of the feeder and spreader members which impart additional spreading action to the flatwork as it is carried towards the ironing rollers. The axis of rotation of such brushes is preferably parallel to the direction of feed of the flatwork. It is still another object of this invention to provide feed members which can be either horizontally or vertically disposed, and the flatwork can be fed from either the top or bottom side of the feeder and spreader members.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of the feeder and spreader apparatus of this invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial section taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG; 3 is an enlarged sectional view through one of the feeder and spreader members of the invention, with parts broken away, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial sectional view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating the position of the drive motor for the belt carrying the flatwork, taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial sectional view similar to FIG. 4, taken along the line 55 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial section through one of the flatwork engagement means, taken generally along the line 6-6 of FIG. 3. I

I DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a plan view of the inventive feeder and spreader apparatus. The feeder and spreader apparatus 10 comprises first and second feeder and spreader members 12 and 14, respectively, arranged in a nonparallel direction diverging in the direction of feed, as indicated by the arrow 16. The members are pivotally connected at their vertex ends 18 and 20, as at 22 and 24, respectively. The pivoting connection, illustratively, comprises a ball and socket joint. The ball members for each of the pivoting connections are integrally connected to a sleeve member 26 which is slidably movable along the exterior of threaded shaft 28. The angle formed between members 12 and 14 is adjustable to accommodate varying widths of flatwork.

In accordance with the invention, the distance between the divergent ends 36 and 38 of the members 12 and 14, respectively, is adjustable. Sleeve members 32 and 34 pivotally support the divergent ends 36 and 38 of the members 12 and 14, respectively. The sleeves are freely slidable along guide rod 40. Nut 41 is engaged in the threads of shaft 28. Links 42 and 44 are pivoted on nut 41 and on each of the sleeves 32 and 34. The distance between the divergent ends 36 and 38 of the members is adjusted by cranking (or otherwise turning) shaft 28 by crank 29 to move nut 41 therealong.

Divergent ends 36 and 38 of the members 12 and 14 are near the ironing rollers 46 and 47 and, as will be described hereinafter, varying the angle between the members will not materially affect the distance between the ends 36 and 38 and the rollers. Since the distance between shaft 40 and ironing rollers 46 and 47 is fixed, the distance between divergent ends 36 and 38 of members 12 and 14, respectively, and rollers 46 and 47 is substantially constant, because sleeve 26 is movable along the direction of feed on shaft 28.

Referring to FIG. 3, shown therein is a sectional view through one of the feeder and spreader members of the invention. Each feeder and spreader member includes a main frame 52. The feeder and spreader members each comprise a belt 56 movable over two pulleys 58 and 60 which are pivotally mounted on the frame. Each belt carries a plurality of disc-shaped magnetic engagement means 62. Each engagement means carries a lowfriction, wear-resistant cover 64. Cover 64 is preferably synthetic polymer composition material, for example nylon, polytetrafluroethylene, polyvinyl, polyethylene and the like, and mechanically or'adhesively attached.

The entire structure of the feeder and spreader thus described is arranged to float with respect to table 54. Table 54 is a low-friction, wear-resistant table, of a ferrous material such as a steel surface table, so that flatwork 67 can be fed thereacross and so that the magnetic discs 62 are attracted thereto for gripping flatwork 67 between the discs and the table, as indicated by arrows at 55 in FIG. 3. Either the sheet feeder and spreader structure can be floating with a fixed table 54, or the feeder and spreader structure can be fixed in position with the table 54 resiliently thrust upward therebeneath to provide for resilient inter-engagement between the spreader structure and the table. Also, steel table surface 54 may be part of a moving assembly. As the belt is driven in the directionindicated by arrow 66, the engagement means on the belts move forward and apart. In this manner, flatwork 67 is grasped and firmly held between the magnetic engagement means 62 and table 54 as it is moved along the direction of feed 16. As will be apparent, since the feeder and spreader members form an angle, the flatwork will spread as it is fed toward the ironing rollers 46 and 47.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation of the invention will now be described. The forward corner portions 68 and 70 of the flatwork are placed by a sin gle operator at the vertex of the angle formed by the members 12 and 14. The corner portions 68 and 70 almost immediately are grasped by the engagement means 62, and the flatwork is carried in the direction indicated by arrow 16. As the flatwork is carried in this direction, the oblique relationship between the members 12 and 14 causes a spreading action to be imparted to the flatwork. This spreading action removes wrinkles and creases from the flatwork 67 because of the relatively uniform transverse tension applied thereto.

If required to fully spread the flatwork, a plurality of brush members 74 can be attached to the outside edges of the members 12 and 14. The brushes 74 are rotatable along an axis substantially parallel to the direction of feed. The brushes 74 are each driven by a belt means 76 which drives shaft 78 upon which the brushes 74 are mounted. As illustrated in FIG. 2, as flatwork 67 is carried by the feeder and spreader members 12 and 14, it will pass under the brushes 74 which imparts a further spreading action to the flatwork as it is carried towards the ironing rollers 46 and 47.

The belts 56 are driven by the pulleys 58 and 60, with pulley 58 being driven by a suitable motor 80. In order to prevent injury to the operator, the motor is located behind shield 82. A similar drive for the other belt is shown in FIG. 5.

The ironing rollers 46 and 47 are located slightly below the distal ends 36 and 38 of the feeder and spreader members 12 and 14, almost level with the top of table 54, to facilitate the transfer of the flatwork from the feeder and spreader members thereto. The ironing rollers are maintained in this position whether the flatwork is fed from the top or under-side of the feeder and spreader members.

Thus, it may be seen that the above objects are accomplished by the invention in that, as the flatwork is fed to the ironing rollers 46 and 47, a simultaneous spreading action is imparted thereto, thereby allowing a single operator to run the device. Further, by providing crank adjustment, the apparatus is capable of accommodating different sized flatwork with a simple manual adjustment.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

l. Flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus for carrying laundered flatwork to ironing rollers comprising:

a horizontal table surface for receiving such flatwork;

and

first and second feeder and spreader members disposed above and effectively parallel to said table surface for resilient engagement therewith, said feeder and spreader members being divergent in the direction of feed of flatwork to spread flatwork as it is fed between said members and said table surface, each of said feeder and spreader members comprising a belt and a plurality of engagement means on each of said belts, said engagement means having a low-friction surface for mechanically engaging flatwork against said table surface to be fed and spread.

2. The flatworkspreader and feeder apparatus of claim 1 wherein:

said engagement means each comprises a magnet,

and

said table surface is ferrous.

3. The flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus of claim 2 wherein:

said engagement means each comprises a cover on said magnet, said cover being formed of synthetic polymer composition material.

4. Flatwork spreader and 6. feeder apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further com- 8. The flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus of prising: claim 7 wherein: rotatable brush means attached to said members id engagement me each comprises a cover on along their Outside edges 50 as to Contact said flatsaid magnet, said cover being formed of synthetic work laterally of said members for additionally 5 polymer composition i L spreadmg 531d flatwork 9. The flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus of 5. Flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein:

said brush means project outwardly from said members. 1O 6. Flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein:

said brush means are rotatable on an axis substantiany parallel to the direction of feed. shaft carrying the forward ends of said members,

7 The fl t k Spreader and f d apparatus f one of said shafts having screw-threads thereon so claim 6 wherein; that rotation of said one of said shafts causes adsaid engagement means each comprises a magnet, justment of the distance between the distal ends of and said feeder and spreader members. said table surface is ferrous.

claim 1 further including:

a first shaft oriented substantially transversely to the direction of flatwork feed and a second shaft oriented substantially longitudinally with respect to the direction of flatwork feed, said first shaft carrying the distal ends of said members and said second 

1. Flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus for carrying laundered flatwork to ironing rollers comprising: a horizontal table surface for receiving such flatwork; and first and second feeder and spreader members disposed above and effectively parallel to said table surface for resilient engagement therewith, said feeder and spreader members being divergent in the direction of feed of flatwork to spread flatwork as it is fed between said members and said table surface, each of said feeder and spreader members comprising a belt and a plurality of engagement means on each of said belts, said engagement means having a low-friction surface for mechanically engaging flatwork against said table surface to be fed and spread.
 2. The flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus of claim 1 wherein: said engagement means each comprises a magnet, and said table surface is ferrous.
 3. The flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus of claim 2 wherein: said engagement means each comprises a cover on said magnet, said cover being formed of synthetic polymer composition material.
 4. Flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising: rotatable brush means attached to said members along their outside edges so as to contact said flatwork laterally of said members for additionally spreading said flatwork.
 5. Flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein: said brush means project outwardly from said members.
 6. Flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein: said brush means are rotatable on an axis substantially parallel to the direction of feed.
 7. The flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus of claim 6 wherein: said engagement means each comprises a magnet, and said table surface is ferrous.
 8. The flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus of claim 7 wherein: said engagement means each comprises a cover on said magnet, said cover being formed of synthetic polymer composition material.
 9. The flatwork spreader and feeder apparatus of claim 1 further including: a first shaft oriented substantially transversely to the direction of flatwork feed and a second shaft oriented substantially longitudinally with respect to the direction of flatwork feed, said first shaft carrying the distal ends of said members and said second shaft carrying the forward ends of said members, one of said shafts having screw-threads thereon so that rotation of said one of said shafts causes adjustment of the distance between the distal ends of said feeder and spreader members. 